Louisville Solo Trip: Playing Gold Miner in Kentucky ⛏️

TL;DR: Lunch at La Bodeguita De Mima was a delight; dinner at Nami Modern Korean Steakhouse was pure suffering. 😖 Flew from New York to Louisville for the weekend. Right after dropping off my bag, I grabbed a shared scooter and headed to the Louisville Water Tower for a quick visit. 🛴 Arrived right at opening time for lunch at La Bodeguita De Mima. Solo diners can’t make reservations via OpenTable, but walking in is easy. The staff’s warmth made the 30°C weather feel at least three degrees hotter. 🔥 For the main course, I was recommended Vaca Frita: beef slow-cooked until tender, shredded, then pan-fried until the outside had a jerky-like texture, while the inside remained soft and well-marbled. With the restaurant’s music and vibe, I almost felt like grabbing the staff’s hand for a spontaneous “Tai Zhiyuan spin.” 💃 The only downside was the overly salty seasoning, which accidentally made me devour a large portion of white rice. 🍚 Low-carb friends, beware of such traps! In the afternoon, I visited Mega Cavern for the Mega Zipline adventure. The moment I approached the cave, I was greeted by a chilly breeze. ❄️ If you loved The Return of the Condor Heroes as a kid or are a fan of Ghost Blows Out the Light, this is for you. If you couldn’t make it to Hebei for the weekend but still wanted a surreal Shili-esque experience, this is even more highly recommended. The staff jokingly said the main selling point wasn’t the zipline but the “cave rave”—and I think they meant it. The combination of Disney’s Space Mountain-style lighting and a 90s disco vibe, paired with a 2010-2015 Billboard hit playlist, made me feel like a city donkey stumbling into a Kentucky dreamscape. 🐴💃 A wilderness DJ trapped in a cyberpunk urban village. By the end of the activity, I couldn’t help but sigh, “Kentucky is full of good people.” 😇 Little did I know that the happiness of the day came with a hidden price—Nami had arrived straight from hell. 😈 For those wanting to try this place because of celebrity chef Edward Lee’s reputation, I suggest turning around and going elsewhere. 🚷 The staff gave side eyes throughout the meal, the serving order was chaotic, and plates were lightly slammed onto the table, creating a less-than-charming percussion performance. 🥁 The cold noodles were served, and the broth was pre-mixed with a generous amount of white vinegar to “stabilize” your blood sugar. The $42 Kalbi felt like chewing grilled gum—skipping the beef might’ve saved money. The only redeeming dish was the Spicy Tuna Tartare, which was just okay but felt like a lifesaver compared to the others. I originally planned to visit 610 Magnolia the next day, but Nami scared me off. When I gently expressed that the food didn’t meet expectations, the staff retorted, “🙄 You don’t eat Korean food often, do you?” Thankfully, it was just a casual question—I thought they were going to quiz me on how many buckets of water the in Dae Jang Geum fetched to make cold noodles or make me sing the theme song before leaving. 🎤 After dinner, I took a walk along the river and watched the sunset. It suddenly hit me: How could I forget to try the fried chicken here? 🍗 #SoloTrip #Backpacking #Louisville #FoodieRants